Stephen Warnock was full of praise for one Liverpool player during the first half of the Merseyside derby this afternoon.
The Reds were in firm control for the opening half-hour of the game and took a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike, although Everton enjoyed a positive spell shortly before the interval.
The Frenchman’s fourth goal for his new club was brilliantly dispatched beyond Jordan Pickford after an exquisite through ball from the Dutch midfielder, whose earlier strike owed plenty to a crucial Cody Gakpo tackle to dispossess Iliman Ndiaye.
Warnock heaps praise on Ekitike after derby goal
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live immediately after the goal which doubled Liverpool’s lead, Warnock was effusive in his praise of the ex-Eintracht Frankfurt striker, who returned to the Reds’ starting XI today in place of Alexander Isak.
The former LFC defender said: “Hugo Ekitike is just getting better and better. When he gets on the ball, he is a danger and he has been so impressive in his short time at Liverpool.
“It’s a really smart finish, quick touch and he passes it into the bottom corner. Jordan Pickford doesn’t stand a chance of getting anywhere near it.”
Ekitike has been excellent against Everton
For all the attention which has understandably been cast upon Isak’s £125m arrival at Anfield, Ekitike is doing everything in his power to try and nail down a place in Arne Slot’s starting line-up.
His fourth goal for Liverpool came in just his seventh appearance, a very promising ratio which – if maintained – will make him an incredibly astute signing by Richard Hughes.
By half-time this afternoon, Ekitike had won six duels, made two tackles and three clearances, and completed all four of his dribbles (Sofascore).
The 23-year-old will be aware that he and Isak appear to be competing for one place in the starting XI, unless Slot can find a way to accommodate both of them. What isn’t up for question is that the Frenchman is giving his boss one hell of a dilemma to ponder!
When you spend 450 million you expect better football from Liverpool than that. We are now seeing the difference between klopp and slot. We’ve turned into a counter attacking team who sit deep. Just like watching man utd. Two nil up and then all in defense giving the Initiative to a poor Everton team. It’s backwards football back to the days of houllier and benitez. Isak came on and never touched the ball. Liverpool are not good enough without the ball to just sit and counter, it’s why we can’t keep clean sheets.
At home you play a high line and press and control the game, keeping the ball. If slot can’t set up these players to play this way after spending 450 million god help us. Forget about the result, we’ve just been outplayed at Anfield by Everton.
It’s understandable when one looks at the amount of changes Arne and his team have been forced to accommodate.
Nuñez, Jota❤, Diaz, Elliot, Quansah
All first teamers out.
Wirtz, Kerkez, Ekitike, Frimpong in. Dom playing at RB.
These are huge changes to deal with all at once.
It takes time to condition a team into a unit that plays in perfect harmony for 90+mins in every game with this level of structural alteration enforced upon it.
Most of them were strangers to each other a few weeks ago.
15pts. Top of the league.
AND The Red’s will get better.
Would you rather be in Arsenal’s or City’s position right now ?
With Ekitike playing like this Slot will have to start him in every game.